Grey Skies and Happy Sighs...: July 2023, Week Thirty Six.

Hello again my lovelies, how are you all doing? I hope you're having a good week. The weather here is pretty miserable today, but I am enjoying going through my older photos and being reminded of the warmth of the Summer days, and the light of the long evenings.

This week in July I had a visit from an old school friend, who was in Donegal with her husband and children. It was so good to see her after so many years, and we had a lovely afternoon together. Of course, I took them to Nancy's Barn, and afterwards we went for a long walk on the beach all the way to the Castles and back. They have promised to come back again, and I hope it's soon!

Another aunt and uncle were staying at the beach house at this time, so I got to see them a couple of times during the week, as well as some cousins that I hadn't see in over 20 years. It is so wonderful to be living here and be able to see family more often. I feel like I missed out on so much while I was living in America! All of the older generation have passed on, and I missed my younger cousins growing up, and there is always an inherent sadness involved with missed opportunities.

There are faces I will never see again, voices I never got to hear enough, and stories that are now lost forever. So, I am making sure I make up for lost time and opportunities these days, and making every effort to live in the moment and enjoy this fleeting life while I can. And yes, that involves taking lots of walks and admiring the sunsets, and breathing in the salt air. I have lived in big cities. I have worked all the hours. I have put my body and mind through hell, barely surviving day to day in a world where I never felt at home. This is why I enjoy my quiet little life so much here. I feel like I've returned to my roots, as well as to a simpler time. I take pleasure in the little things, and I have never been happier. Instead of just surviving, I am thriving!